Letters

Save Rail Runner Weekend Service

Dear Alibi,

The governor and her accomplices must be crazy to want to abandon weekend service on the Rail Runner between Belen and Santa Fe. The proposal, effective as of mid-August, will throw our regional economy into a tailspin by depriving retail outlets along the rail corridor of most of their weekend customers, and by depriving people who cannot—or who will not—drive their cars between cities along the route.

The governor's job is to promote a healthy economy that minimizes the use of finite energy for mobility and other purposes. She thinks that eliminating weekend train service will somehow end or minimize the deficit, but if such a cutback cuts into New Mexico's tourist and retail business, she will worsen the economy. The alternative to continued train service is more congestion and more drunk driving accidents along New Mexico's already overcrowded highways.

As much as I don't want to increase train fares to save the current Rail Runner schedules, I am willing to do that as the lesser of two evils, if a fare hike is the only way to maintain vital passenger public transit along the Santa Fe-Belen corridor. We all need to speak out—not just commuters who use the Rail Runner on weekdays.

William R. Delzell

Something Fishy

Dear Alibi,

Thanks for the informative article on sardines [Food, “American Sardine,” June 16-22]. We love sardines and love Ari LeVaux's columns, but in this particular article, I don't see a source for where he is getting these sardines in Albuquerque. I would really like to know. I like the new direction of his column but suggest he always provide buying sources when possible.

Nita Hughes

Food editor’s note: You can usually find fresh, large sardines (as well as mackerel, which is another good option) at Talin Market.

Pullout Promise

Dear Alibi,

Sen. Tom Udall should be commended for signing a letter with 26 other senators who are asking President Obama to make a "sizable and sustained" reduction of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Obama is scheduled to make a decision soon on how many troops to pull out. Our senator joined with colleagues to say, "We urge you to follow through on the pledge you made to the American people to begin redeployment of U.S. forces from Afghanistan this summer."

Obama should heed this message and announce a major drawdown in forces from Afghanistan. The U.S. war in Afghanistan is the longest in our history, surpassing even the Vietnam War. We are in a quagmire with no end in sight. The U.S. is mired in a civil war where the government has little legitimacy, the military situation is stalemated, and the political and economic situation remains dismal. Obama should keep his promise and start winding down the war with a major troop withdrawal beginning in July.

Pamela King

R.I.P. Aztec Motel

Dear Alibi,

[Re: Blog, “Aztec Motel Razed,” June 14] When I moved away from my folks place, my first apartment was behind the Aztec. As a penniless 19-year-old, I used to dine at the adjacent 7-11 on a daily basis and would walk the scenic route through the Aztec parking lot to get dinner. I never had any trouble (nor stumbled across any dead prostitutes). A mecca for "wing nuts" of course, but no real dangerous characters ever crossed my path. I enjoyed discovering a new kitschy display each time I took my stroll. Though I don't miss my former lifestyle, I will always have the fondest memories of detouring through Albuquerque’s favorite dive hotel landscape. R.I.P. Aztec.

madamemadcapComment from alibi.com

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